SINGAPORE : More people have sought help for gambling—related
issues since the casino at Resorts World Sentosa opened in
February.
Figures provided by the National Council on Problem Gambling
(NCPG) show that callers to its helpline have more than doubled in
the last two months, compared to when the helpline opened last
October.
An advertisement by the NCPG highlights the troubles that can
arise, when a gambler crosses the line between entertainment and
addiction.
And it seems that people have grown more aware of this
distinction, since the casino at Resorts World Sentosa opened in
February.
The helpline run by the NCPG saw 450 calls in February, and 520
in March.
This compared to a monthly average of 200 calls between October
and January.
Many of the callers seek help for what they see as a gambling
problem in their family member or friend, but the NCPG also sees a
number of problem gamblers coming forward. The helpline number is
1800—6—668—668.
On Tuesday, the NCPG told reporters that the cases have also
become more complex.
Mildred Tan, chairperson, Public Communications Subcommittee,
National Council on Problem Gambling, said: "Typically, in the
past, they would just ask us questions such as ’where can I seek
help, how would I know a person is a problem gambler’. Now there is
a lot more sharing on the lines.
"It could even go into social issues such as ’the person has
left the family, and we do not know where the person is, and he is
running away because loansharks are after him, and the children are
sick’. You can see the dysfunctional issues appearing in the
family."
The NCPG said that some callers may also seek help on how to
manage their debts. The 24—hour hotline is run by the National
Addictions Management Service of the Institute of Mental Health. It
is manned by 12 counsellors, who are fully trained. Apart from
directing callers to other sources of information and help, the
NCPG said counsellors will also try to meet the caller in
person.
The NCPG said it keeps track of the calls to its helpline to
ensure there is a proper follow—up after the initial call is made.
It added that a number of these calls eventually translates into
exclusion orders being issued.
Forty—nine Family Exclusion Orders have been issued since
applications opened a year ago, with the bulk of them in the last
two months — with 16 in February and 14 in March.
The same period has also seen a spike in those applying to bar
themselves from the casino.
The NCPG has received 567 applications for self—exclusion orders
since applications began in November 2009. About four in five
applications were received in the last two months alone — with 191
in February and 218 in March.
Among the Family Exclusion Orders issued, 23 out of 49 of the
respondents earned a monthly income of S$2,000 or below. About one
in four worked in sales and services.
With the casino at Marina Bay Sands due to open on April 27,
more are expected to seek help.
NCPG said it is working with operators to ensure safeguards
against problem gambling are implemented effectively.
Among other rules, the casinos are required to impose a S$100
daily entry levy for Singaporeans and Permanent Residents. These
gamers can also only use cash to exchange for chips.
Mrs Tan said the NCPG recently reviewed the safeguards at
Resorts World Sentosa and said that while the integrated resort has
been "forthcoming in embracing these social safeguards", the
Council found that informational posters on problem gambling could
be made more prominent.
She said: "Even little things like where to place the help
cards. The help cards were initially placed where you pay the
S$100. Now they have extended it to put it in the bathroom for
example, so that nobody knows (if a person is) picking up a help
card or things like that."
She added that Resorts World Sentosa has since made the
necessary changes, and that NCPG is in "constant and on—going
dialogue" with Marina Bay Sands on implementing the social
safeguards.
In a statement to MediaCorp, Resorts World Sentosa said that in
March alone, 17 excluded individuals tried their luck at entering
the casino, but there are measures to stop them from
succeeding.
It added that so far, none of its patrons have made use of its
counselling service, but notes that "this is typical for
counselling services provided by casino operators, as it takes time
for the programme to gain momentum".
Neither have patrons made use of its voluntary loss—limit
system, in which they can declare beforehand the maximum amount
they are willing to lose. — CNA/il/ms
